Q&A: MC2STEM High School’s Jeff McClellan

Going into year four as head of school, what has been most exciting about the learning taking place? What has been the most unexpected outcome -- one that you didn't foresee four years ago?

We had pretty high expectations going into this, so we aren't necessarily surprised, but we are satisfied that we are seeing the kinds of gains that we are working toward. The level of commitment from the community and depth of it has been a pleasant outcome. We've really seen some of those people who were behind us in the beginning step up and support our school and community. Forty percent of our juniors were college students during their junior year. That was our goal from the beginning, and that is really a significant portion of our school. We had 100 percent opportunity for our juniors to have internships last summer. Our 11th- and 12th- graders go into the community for education; we're able to bring that vision to fruition. In terms of students achievement, what we thought would happen is happening.

What do you see as the biggest challenge going forward?

We face challenges not unlike other public schools with funding and budget cuts and issues around tenure. We let go 80 percent of our teachers this year, and a similar number the year before. The year before they were called back, and only one of them had gotten another job before then. This year some of our teachers may be called back, but they haven't been yet. So it's been a challenge supporting a new, innovative school and realizing the staffing of that school isn't completely in your control, or the district's. It has more to do with state laws.

Your school has a unique, multi-site model. Has that worked out as you anticipated? And where are seniors going this year? Where are all other grades located?

Our juniors and seniors are in a district swing space in the Health Careers building, and that's kind of their home base. But a lot are in internships and on (college and university) campuses. They are at Cleveland State University and Cuyahoga Community College. Six students are interns at Turner (Construction). We had one student who went to Lockheed Martin every Tuesday. Those internships will continue, and we are adding five internships at GE this year. We've had kids at Rockwell Automation and NASA. The ninth grade is at the Great Lakes Science Center and the 10th grade is at GE. We lease the Jewish Federation Building in downtown Cleveland for $1 a year, and are in the process of redesigning the building for our juniors and seniors. If everything goes as planned, we'll be in there in July of next year.

Is it difficult to manage a school where students are in different spaces? How do you keep a sense of cohesion in that situation?

It's not unlike trying to coordinate operations within these big STEM corporations. It models the 21st Century STEM environment. We have a clear vision of what STEM is about, and that vision is evident in all the sites. We share that vision and hire top-notch people to carry it out. In this environment there is opportunity for innovation to happen in more ways. If the ninth ninth-graders figure out an innovative way to solve a problem, they can show the 10th grade how to solve a problem at another site.

Like the other STEM platform schools in Ohio, MC²STEM has both higher education and business partners.  What role does each of these play and how essential are they to the success of the school?

First of all, our school wouldn't be our school without our partners, being that it's a project-based STEM school in the community. When our teachers were laid off in June, it put us in bad position to deliver an education to kids. But with partners and their creative minds and money to make things happen, it helped us maintain as many programs as possible. Our partners also continually push us on developing the students. It's one thing to have high expectations for yourself, it's another to be supported by colleges and companies that have high expectations that you will produce the kind of future leaders our partners need.

How many of your graduating students do you anticipate will be pursuing post secondary education?  Do you believe the STEM curriculum they received at MC²STEM has significantly impacted these numbers?

Our goal is that all students are prepared to go to college, and that is what our expectations are. The sort of college or post secondary education can vary, but they need to go onto to some type. At MC²STEM it's a rigorous, college prep curriculum for everyone. They are still going to have to deliver in the classroom on the curriculum. Right now with seniors, they are spending the last six weeks on one of multiple campuses. Every week kids are being asked to articulate what they are going to do after high school, and what it is going to take  to get them there. We don't accept "No" -- there is no failure. We are going to support you, whatever it takes.

What lessons have you learned about operating a successful STEM school that you would pass on to newer schools?

Have a strong vision and don't develop it in isolation. Develop it in collaboration with partners in your area that are willing and able to impact that. Don't compromise your vision because reality hits. Find ways to creatively accomplish that mission. Be in it with heart. Don't kid yourself, it's going to be difficult, but it's the right thing to do and it's important for students.